Gigi Marvin has known since Monday that she will write a new chapter in Warroad's rich hockey history today by becoming the first woman to bring home an Olympic medal to Hockeytown.
Grand Forks' Lamoureux twins will be UND's first female medalists, too.
But none of them have celebrated this fact in Vancouver.
"The past six months, we've been focusing on gold," Monique Lamoureux said. "We're going to win a medal, but we want gold. We're going to go for it."
The trio of area players will play in the biggest hockey game of their lives today: a gold-medal showdown with the world's top-ranked team, Canada (5:30 p.m., MSNBC).
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These are the clear-cut, top two women's hockey programs. The Americans have outscored their four opponents here 40-2. The Canadians have been even more dominant, beating their foes 46-2. Nobody has come within four goals of either squad.
"This is what everybody has been expecting," Monique said, "a U.S.-Canada final.
"If we come ready to play and we do all the little things right, we have the capability of coming out on top. The game could go either way. It will all come down to who decides to show up and who is ready to go."
Both teams centralized in August. They played a schedule of tournaments and exhibitions throughout the fall and winter to prepare for the Olympics. The Americans and Canadians faced off 10 times.
The U.S. won the first two meetings, earning the Canada Cup in early September -- a tournament that took place at Vancouver's Hockey Canada Place (site of today's gold-medal game). Since then, Canada has dominated, winning seven of eight.
Canada, gold medalists in 2002 and 2006, brings dazzling offensive talent, led by Mercyhurst star Meghan Agosta. She set an Olympic record with nine goals in the first four games and is the tournament's leading scorer with 14 points.
If the Americans are going to succeed, look for the area women to make impacts.
Monique Lamoureux had a hat trick against Sweden in the semifinals. She's one point away from leading the Americans in scoring with 10 points. Jocelyne Lamoureux isn't far behind (six). She scored the flashiest goal of the tournament by putting the puck between her legs against China and she has the best plus-minus of any American forward (plus-10).
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"They've been dominant," UND women's hockey coach Brian Idalski said.
Marvin has been a strong all-around player, grabbing three assists and averaging about 15 minutes per game.
The U.S. also has an outstanding goalie in Wisconsin graduate Jessie Vetter, last year's winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award, the women's equivalent of the Hobey Baker.
"I think she's the best goalie in the world," Monique said. "She's awesome. She makes everything look easy. When you have a goalie with that much confidence you always have a chance."
The twins and Marvin have an idea of what to expect from the partisan Canadian crowd today. They attended the first two periods of the U.S.-Canada men's game on Sunday.
Most of their fans will be back in the Midwest.
"Monique and I really haven't been home for five years," Jocelyne said, "so getting all of this support from Grand Forks has been really cool. It means a lot. It's humbling and it's great to have that type of support back home."
Reach Schlossman at (701) 780-1129; (800) 477-6572, ext. 129; or send e-mail to bschlossman@gfherald.com .
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Gold medal game
Who: USA vs. Canada.
When: 5:30 p.m. today.
TV: MSNBC (GF Channel 48).
Records: USA 4-0, Canada 4-0.
Of note: Grand Forks' Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux and Warroad's Gigi Marvin are looking for gold medals.
